Childhood Obesity

Attention Parents- Buying your kids their favorite sugar loaded cereal, letting them pick out candy bars at the check-out, allowing them to watch TV/cartoons, play video games/computer for hours on end, makes you the cool parent right? However, is this good parenting?

9 million, the number of children considered overweight in America. The breakdown; 19% of children (ages 6–11) and 17% of adolescents (ages 12–19) were overweight in 2000. Of these 9 million overweight children 1 in 4 show early signs of type II diabetes, 3 in 5 already have at least one risk factor of heart disease.

Risk factors of overweight children (they're no longer issues of getting old)-

-Hyperlipiemia (too much fat in the blood)

-Heart disease, high blood pressure

-Diabetes -- Type 2 diabetes, no longer an adult disease. Type II diabetes has been diagnosed and is on the rise in adolescence. A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that one in three American children born in 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime.

-Bone condition, hip problems

-Early puberty-overweight females are reaching puberty earlier. In addition obesity may increase the development of uterine fibrosis and irregular menstrual cycles.

-Obstructive sleep apnea- serious, potentially life-threatening breathing disorder characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep. This can over a long period of time, lead to heart failure.

-Psychological issues-overweight kids were more likely to develop depression, due to image and also from the lack of exercise. In Journal of Adolescent Health, 2009, shows that teens who are overweight and those teens who perceive themselves as being overweight have high risk of attempting suicide.

Problem-

In the last 40 years, the percent of overweight children has more than quadrupled. The CDC has labeled childhood obesity as an epidemic. Genetics do play a risk factor in children becoming overweight, however it is the environment that a child grows in that is really the culprit.

Increase of electronic entertainment-"A 2008 meta analysis found that 63 of 73 studies (86%) showed an increased rate of childhood obesity with increased media exposure, and rates increasing proportionally to time spent watching television."
A study in the UK suggest that on average a child watches 30-50 hours of commercial for food on television. 90% of those are for junk food. Also concluded in this study food consumption increased drastically immediately following these commercials; obese children intake increased 134%, overweight children intake increased 101%, while normal weight children intake increased 84%

Decrease of physical exercise-with the increase of video games and computers, children find ways to entertain them selves instead of playing outside. In a study done by the CDC "surveyed 11,631 U.S. high school students, grades nine through 12, and found that just 12.37 percent of the students engaged in 20 minutes of vigorous physical activity three or more times a week."

Lack of proper nutrition- It's amazing yet disheartening that in the recession we see McDonald's actually posting profits. IMHO the lamest excuse I hear on eating unhealthy is that it costs too much to eat healthy. According to the American Diabetes Association it cost the average person with diabetes $12,000 a year to treat the disease. In addition to increase medical cost, overweight kids are more prone to illness which in result increases time out of school.

Solution-
Say it with me parents: "NO"

You are the parent! You have control of your kids. Stop rewarding your kids for inappropriate behavior. If your child throws a tantrum because you won't give him ice-cream, let him. They'll eventually give up. If you stop buying sugar loaded foods and they refuse to eat the healthy groceries, I can guarantee you that they will eventually get hungry and eat that apple that replaced those fruit roll-ups.

Educate not only yourself but also your children as well. Gatorade is not as healthy as you think it is. Diet soda is not the solution to replacing regular soda.

Do not place your kids on diets, instead teach them how to eat properly. Don't go cold turkey or they'll over indulge when you are out-of-site. Set schedules when your kids can eat. Allow for a small healthy snack after school, and no snacking after dinner. Sit down for dinner. STOP EATING IN FRONT OF THE TV!!!



Encourage them when they lose weight. For girls let them pick out a new outfit as the weight comes off.

No TV in kids rooms. Not only does this effect their weight but can also lead to issue regarding sleep patterns, and social activity.

Limit the amount of time your child spends in front of a computer/TV/video game. Plan family bike rides, or a pick up game of kick ball. Enroll your kids in activities, not only does this help them physically, but if a child can be proud of an accomplishment, you'll increase their confidence. Let them play outside, and for all those over protective parent, FYI, less than 1% of children are abducted by someone outside their family.

Again you are the parent. You might not be the cool parent, however you are saving your child's life.

Healthy alternatives to unhealthy foods-

-Opt for pretzels instead of potato chips
-Real OJ instead of Sunny D
-Sparkling flavored waters instead of sodas. I tried it with my friend's kids and they love it
-Cheerios with natural honey, stop buying the marshmallows cereals
-Sorbet, frozen yogurt, or fruit smoothies instead of ice-cream
-Nutella and apples (omg I love this) instead of chocolate candy bars.